World

A suspected act of sabotage – possibly by Russia – against gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea was likely a premeditated attack using underwater explosive devices detonated remotely, according to a British defence source. The source said any mines could have been lowered to the seabed on a long line, dropped over the side of

Analysis: Pipeline attacks mean Ukrainian war is ‘now going to the Baltic’ Professor Michael Clarke, a security and defence analyst, said leaks in the Nord Stream gas pipeline in the Baltic Sea were caused by “three explosions near the seabed”. He added it is “clearly an act of sabotage”, as you need a submarine to

Mysterious leaks in the Nord Stream gas pipe network began with “powerful subsea blasts” and resulted from “deliberate actions”. Two pipelines running underwater from Russia to Germany were damaged in a total of three places on Monday. Nord Stream AG, the owner, described the breakages as “unprecedented”. The pipes were not pumping gas to Europe

Leaders from across the world have gathered for the state funeral of Japan’s assassinated former prime minister Shinzo Abe. More than 4,300 people attended the event, which has caused nationwide protests, in Tokyo’s Budokan Hall as thousands of armed police were posted around the capital. Mr Abe, the country’s longest-serving leader, died after being shot

New satellite images showing large numbers of Russians fleeing to Georgia and Mongolia have been released after Vladimir Putin’s order to mobilise hundreds of thousands of reservists for the conflict in Ukraine. The images show queues of vehicles – cargo trucks and cars – waiting in long traffic jams attempting to get over the borders.

At least nine people – including five children – have been killed during a shooting at a school in the Russian city of Izhevsk. The Russian Investigative Committee said the victims included five children, two teachers and two security guards. Other reports said 20 people had also been injured. The Udmurtia branch of the interior

Mahsa Amini, the young woman whose death in police custody has prompted mass protests in Iran, was “tortured and insulted” before she died, her cousin has said. In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Erfan Mortezaei told Sky News about what happened to his cousin and how she has become the “voice of the anger

Estonia has warned residents they will be banned from the EU if they join Vladimir Putin’s army, as Finland looks set to stop Russian tourists from crossing its border. On Wednesday, Russia’s leader – faced with a series of defeats in Ukraine – announced a partial mobilisation that could see 300,000 reserves called up to

Protests over mobilisation have taken place in more than a dozen cities across Russia. Police arrested hundreds of people as authorities seek to crack down on dissent over the Ukraine war. Girls as young as 14 years old were among those detained in St Petersburg, reports say, with authorities using stun guns and batons. In

The southern counteroffensive by the Ukrainians to recapture the city of Kherson has been known about but unseen. The entire frontline has been closed to everyone for over two weeks, indeed it’s been shrouded in secrecy. After days of negotiation the military relented and allowed Sky News to the Kherson frontline to see what has

The exodus from Russia in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s call-up of 300,000 reservists continues, with people scrambling to escape to neighbouring countries. Thousands are fleeing to avoid being sent to fight in Ukraine after the Kremlin declared a partial mobilisation. One businessman flew to Istanbul, Turkey, on Friday after he decided not to wait

Draft-aged Russians have apparently begun to flee the country as it enters is biggest conscription drive since the Second World War – with plane ticket prices soaring above $5,000 (£4,443) and border crossings increasing. Vladimir Putin launched a new mobilisation campaign on Wednesday for the seven-month-old war in Ukraine that has already decimated cities, killed

The foreign secretary has called on countries to reject the “charade” of referenda to be held in Russian-controlled regions in eastern and southern Ukraine. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, James Cleverly said Vladimir Putin plans to fix the results of votes on becoming parts of Russia. It comes as a prosecutor at the

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy has demanded “just punishment” for Russia’s crime against his nation. Addressing the United Nations General Assembly by video, Mr Zelenskyy laid out a five-point plan to establish peace in the seven-month-long conflict. The non-negotiable conditions included punishment for Russian aggression, restoration of Ukraine’s security, and territorial integrity and security guarantees. Speaking

Five Britons who were detained by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have been released and are being safely returned, Liz Truss has said. The prime minister tweeted: “Hugely welcome news that five British nationals held by Russian-backed proxies in eastern Ukraine are being safely returned, ending months of uncertainty and suffering for them and their

President Putin has accused the West of engaging in “nuclear blackmail” and warned he has “lots of weapons to reply”. In a rare address to the nation, he said he wasn’t bluffing and would use “all the means available to us” if Russian territory was threatened. Mr Putin also ordered an immediate “partial mobilisation” –